Great African Reads discussion

This thread is for discussions for our Jan/Feb 2019 read of Your Madness, Not Mine: Stories of Cameroon by Makuchi.

Has anyone managed to get hold of a copy yet? I've had to buy a digital copy because it will take a couple of weeks for a hard copy to arrive from the US.

Priyanka Sofia wrote: "Has anyone managed to get hold of a copy yet? I've had to buy a digital copy because it will take a couple of weeks for a hard copy to arrive from the US."
I thought I had it, but just realised I don't - so ordered it from the library, but if digital copies are available, that may be easier for be actually...

I’ve started reading it, just finished the introduction and the first story. The introduction is excellent and a must read (just avoid endnote #13 which should come with a spoiler alert). It explains that although Cameroon has two official languages: English and French – unlike the rest of African countries which have one European language as an official language – there is an imbalance between the languages in the country. Not only are English speakers much lesser in number (two English-speaking provinces vs eight French-speaking provinces) but also the intellectual community in Cameroon is overwhelmingly French.

I also like how Brière touches upon the emigration of the English-speaking intellectual elite to the US after the devaluation of Cameroon’s currency which resulted in brain drain in the country. Regarding Makuchi’s literary style, she notes: “The reader will find no abstract universalist terms here, none of the language one finds in reports in Cameroon by UN commissions or the IMF.” I’m part of the human rights sector and hyper aware of the language employed by international organisations that “inevitably disfigures and shortchanges those they describe” (Brière’s words), which is why I guess I mainly read fiction in my spare time :)

As someone from an ex British (and partly Portuguese) colony in South Asia, I’m familiar with the insidious effects of colonialism that last long after decolonisation: the struggles associated with nation building, language policies and linguistic wars, brain drain, the postcolonial identity (or lack of if you will) and issues associated with it, among other stuff – so this is such a perfect read!

Is anyone else reading along?

Thanks for your enthusiasm Sofia!
I already have my copy and will be ready to read in a couple of days (first have to finish some other stuff).

I am also interested in reading this because of the actual conflict in "Ambazonia". Some background in this article.

I also finished the introduction and the first story. I liked your summary better than Brière's full introduction, Sofia!

And I really enjoyed the wonderful first story The Healer. Very well written, I really like Makuchi's style.

I've started reading it. I found the introduction very helpful and am enjoying her writing style.

I have just received a copy of the book. So I am looking forward to diving into it and participating in the discussion.

I am enjoying Makuchi's stories. So far, I like 'Election fever' best. But I still have a couple more to go.

Wim wrote: "I also finished the introduction and the first story. I liked your summary better than Brière's full introduction, Sofia!

And I really enjoyed the wonderful first story The Healer. Very well writt..."

Thank you Wim! 😊 I loved the first story – so well written and I enjoyed how it unfolded through the eyes of the young narrator.

I need to read Election Fever! My favourite so far is American Lottery.

And thanks Wim for sharing the article! I had no idea about this – so disturbing! I’m going to read more about Cameroon’s language policies now. I’m always fascinated by such stuff.

Valerie wrote: "I have just received a copy of the book. So I am looking forward to diving into it and participating in the discussion."

Good to have you on board Valerie! :) I don’t have my copy on me at the moment but when I get back home I’ll post more detailed comments on the stories :)

Carolien wrote: "I've started reading it. I found the introduction very helpful and am enjoying her writing style."

Me too, she writes beautifully! Glad you are enjoying it Carolien!

Priyanka Sofia wrote: "I loved the first story – so well written and I enjoyed how it unfolded through the eyes of the young narrator.
..."

Funny you mention this: now I realize that for Election Fever she is also using a young narrator's view.

I also liked American Lottery. In fact, there wasn't one single story that I didn't enjoy. I still have one to go, saving it for later this weekend.

Got my copy, will join you shortly :)

Election Fever is a classic. The ANC launched its election manifesto today and for the next few months it will all be about T-shirts and election rallies, etc.

Another comment: Makuchi writes part of the dialogues in pidgin and in French. I really liked that, as it shows the linguistic complexity of daily life in many African places. And the colorful pidgin really gives an extra touch to the stories!

On the other hand, I had difficulties to really grasp the meaning of some of the dialogues and regretted that there was no translation available in footnotes, on top of the limited glossary. I imagine some of you had the same issue with the parts in French.

There is a limited glossary, but as usual it is hidden at the end of the ebook. I wish publishers would realise that it belongs at the start of the ebook!

I completed the last of the stories. It brought back memories of South Africa prior to anti-retrovirals becoming widely available and is beautifully written.

Glad I decided to join this group read as I have really enjoyed these stories.

I have been taking my time with this collection but I have been really enjoying it - I only have two stories left to read. I like her style of writing - not overly convoluted but nevertheless evocative - but especially admire how she tells stories which are mostly very sad and laced with anger but uses a tone of voice which is playful and sometimes even joyful.

I have read the first half - and while I like the depiction of Cameroon and the linguistic situation, I find it hard to relate to any of the characters - maybe it's just the curse of the short story genre, but I don't normally mind the genre.